Remember how I said I wasn't much of a purse carrier in my last fashion post? Well...toting around my mom's Coach crossbody made me realize the power of accessorizing. And I liked it. For the longest time I've been getting by with little coin purses and wristlets, but having entered a new decade of my life (yeah 20's!) I realized: it's time to upgrade. With any new change, it's best to ease into it slowly. So instead of going all crazy with a flashy statement piece, I chose a brown faux leather tote. Because it's simple and understated, I'll get good use out of it for a long time.

I'd been on the lookout for a bag similar to the Madewell Transport Tote after seeing it in my Instagram and Pinterest feeds (styled adorably, I might add). However, the $168 price tag wasn't exactly in my budget. So imagine my excitement when I visited Pangaea and found a similar tote for $46—a fraction of the price! For those of you not in Nashville, you can get the bag online from Joy Susan. The bag itself looks very plush, and the inside is nice and soft. It also came with a matching wristlet! If you're looking for a lighter, camel-colored tone to more closely resemble the Madewell version, check out the reversible tote from Lulu's.

Lately I've been drawn to minimalist pieces. I'm really digging classic, neutral tones like olive, camel, grey (and of course the standard black and white) because you can mix and match them so easily, creating an endless number of outfits—great for the fashion and budget savvy. Of course, simple pieces must be accessorized so they're not blah. But I like a good challenge! It's been fun wandering outside my comfort zone :)

Since we got back to Nashville, Chloe and I are on a mission to "discover our city". We want to search all of the nooks and crannies to find local hidden treasures. Last week we stumbled into Hey Rooster General Store, and this week we came across another gem in our East Nashville neighborhood: Boone & Sons. It's a modest little market that carries everything from beef and seafood to local honey and craft beer. We even found a small rack with vintage clothing (and the most adorable retro bowling bag)! Whether you're craving a deli sandwich on lunch break or need to satisfy your sweet tooth (hello mini Ben & Jerry's cups!) they've got you covered.

What are your favorite local spots in your city? Let us know in the comments below! Chloe and I are always looking for places to explore when we're on the road touring :)